Shell script

I have an input file coming, based on what is there in the starting from the third character (which is the table name starting from 3rd character in the first line).I have to set the parameter x.
like If the table name='employee'(sarted from the third character) then x=1
if table name='policy' then x=2 (started from the third character)
else x=3.
So based on what is in the file from the third character of the fist line I have to set the parameter x and send the parameter out of the script ,like a return value.